32 3/8 x 11 7/8 x 16 3/8 in. (82.2 x 30.2 x 41.6 cm)
Type:
figures (representations)
Date:
early - mid 20th century
Description:
A wooden, jointed figure in the form of a caricature of a boy holding a candle holder and candle. The boy is depicted hunched over, while holding a red candle holder with a lit, green candle. He is wearing a yellow pajamas decorated with red polka dots and black slippers. He has painted red hoop earrings in both ears. The figure is jointed at the shoulders. He is attached to flat rectangular metal base by a metal pole attached to the boy’s feet. The pole is welded to rectangular base.
Statement:
Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer